RAILWAY LINE OBSTRUCTED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21155, 30 September 1938, Page 4

RAILWAY LINE OBSTRUCTED

Taxi Driver Pleads Guilty Accident After Ball As a result of driving a taxi on to the railway line and stopping a goods train that actually struck the vehicle, John Thomas O’Connor pleaded guilty in the Timaru Magistrate’s Court yesterday when he was charged with driving a motor car on the railway and obstructing the working of the railway. He was fined £2,10/- and ordered to pay costs amounting to £l/2/- by Mr H. Morgan. S.M. O’Connor was a taxi driver and the accident happened after the Timaru Taxi Drivers’ Ball, aid Senior-Ser-geant Hewitt. It was in the early hours of the morning and he was seen sleeping in his car opposite the railway station. He had had a heavy day before and had been secretary of the ball and in addition, had taken many parties home after the ball. When awakened O’Connor had driven through the gates and along the railway line. There was a goods train coming and the signalman tried to stop O’Connor but failed, so tried to stop the train. The train pulled up jus', as It touched the car, the driver and th > passenger being very fortunate to escape injury. There were several circumstances that had a bearing on the case, said Mr L. M. Inglis, who appeared for O’Connor. Defendant had a late call on the Sunday night when he had contracted influenza. He stayed in lied until 3 pun. on the Monday, but as he had arrangements to make in connection with the ball he got up and did not go to bed again until 7 p m., remaining there until mid-day on the Tuesday. He still had the influenza then and there was work in connection with the ball, so that the accident was not only the result of his being tLed. He was also ill When awakened O'Connor did not remember driving off nor did he recall seeing the train until after the accident. It appeared as if his action was practically involuntary. The car had been damaged to the extent of £lOO and there was no insurance. O'Ocr.nor was a fnarried man. As It appeared doubtful whether O’Connor could rehabilitate himself in the taxi business, a heavy pern lly would be like rubbing salt in the wouna. He had already had a severe penalty through his f naneial loss. Mr Morgan: If he was ill he should have gone home as soon as possible and not stayed in the car asleep.